'Addressing our housing concerns': Developer plans to turn unused parking lot at White Oaks Mall into apartment towers
When Westdell Development acquired White Oaks Mall last year, President Iyman Meddoui said they always had the vision of adding additional commercial and residential components.
“The area is going to transfer into a mixed use type of development,” said Meddoui.
That mixed use will include a new 568 unit, two tower high-rise off Bradley Avenue, coming in off Montgomery Road.
Westdell Developments put forth an application to the city, likely the first of several applications, to build housing on their White Oaks Mall site.
“Currently it’s an unused parking structure that is a bit of an eyesore in the neighbourhood,” said Ward 12 Coun. Elizabeth Peloza who supports the project. “This is also a transit hub, that’s coming with the bus rapid transit corridor in this area, so a great location in my opinion."
Peloza said at a pre-consultation meeting with the community in February, concerns focused on intensification, traffic management and waste collection.
An empty parking lot at White Oaks Mall in London, Ont. is the proposed site of a Westdell Developments high-rise project. (Reta Ismail/CTV News London) But despite those concerns, Peloza said these units are badly needed as the area has not seen any new apartments in the last three decades.
“Height is always an issue, however, as the city continues to grow, and as we continue to address our housing concerns, these types of applications are going to be very, very typical moving forward,” explained Meddoui.
The new towers would offer a mix of one, two or three bedroom apartments, but Westdell hasn’t determined if they will be condominiums for sale, rental units or a mix of both.
With respect to affordable housing, Meddoui said that is an on-going discussion that is happening between Westdell Developments and the City of London, so there could be an element of affordable housing dollars earmarked or some affordable housing units.
The proposal will go to the Planning and Environment committee on July 16, 2024.
Once approved by council, Meddoui hopes to break ground by early 2026.
Iyman Meddoui, president of Westdell Development Corp and Paul Kitson, VP planning and development at Westdell Development Corp are seen in London, Ont. on April 15, 2024. (Reta Ismail/CTV News London)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
2-hour wildfire evacuation notice issued for some Fort McMurray neighbourhoods
A wildfire evacuation alert for some Fort McMurray residents has been updated to a two-hour evacuation notice.
Sask. RCMP provide update on 'significant' sexual assault, child exploitation investigation
Saskatchewan RCMP are set to provide an update on what the service calls a 'significant' sexual assault and internet child exploitation investigation.
Maximum payout for LifeLabs class-action drops from $150 estimate to $7.86
Canadian LifeLabs customers who filed an application for a class-action settlement began receiving their payments this week, though at a much lower amount than initially expected.
Alice Munro, Nobel literature winner revered as short story master, dead at 92
Nobel laureate Alice Munro, the Canadian literary giant who became one of the world's most esteemed contemporary authors and one of history's most honoured short story writers, has died at age 92.
Latest updates on air quality alerts, and when the smoke may reach Ontario and Quebec
Wildfires have led Environment Canada to issue air quality advisories for parts of B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, as forecasters warn the smoke could drift farther east.
American sought after 'So I raped you' Facebook message detained in France on 2021 warrant
An American accused of sexually assaulting a Pennsylvania college student in 2013 and later sending her a Facebook message that said, 'So I raped you,' has been detained in France after a three-year search.
Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
1 killed, 3 injured in head-on crash on Hwy. 417 in Ottawa
Ontario Provincial Police are responding to a fatal collision involving two vehicles on Highway 417 in Ottawa's west end on Tuesday morning.
Significant police presence as Israeli flag flies at Ottawa City Hall
The Israeli flag is flying at Ottawa City Hall today to mark the country's national day, with plans to hold a private ceremony to mark Israel's Independence Day. There is a significant police presence at City Hall, including security barriers outside the main doors.